Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, FMC Series: On Dublin Street, #5 Publisher: Self-Published Hero: Cole Walker Heroine: Shannon MacLeod Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: October 07, 2014 Started On: January 04, 2026 Finished On: January 05, 2026
After the emotional whiplash of Fall from India Place, I went into Echoes of Scotland Street with cautious optimism. Cole Walker had been a steady presence throughout the series, and after seeing him repeatedly through Hannah’s eyes, I was more than ready for his story. Expectations were admittedly high, perhaps unfairly so, but this was meant to be a return to form after a weaker installment. Unfortunately, this book was even weaker than its predecessor.
The story opens with a formative encounter between Cole and Shannon as teenagers, a moment meant to anchor their future connection. Years later, they meet again under very different circumstances, with Shannon emotionally bruised and determined to avoid the exact type of man Cole appears to be. Cole, on the other hand, is instantly all in. He is devoted, patient, and earnest from the start, convinced that Shannon is worth the effort.
Shannon’s emotional baggage is substantial, and while her trauma is understandable, it often dominates the narrative to the point of stagnation. Her resistance feels less like guarded vulnerability and more like an immovable wall. Cole’s pursuit, while well intentioned, occasionally crosses into uncomfortable territory, especially given how clearly she communicates her reluctance early on. When he finally pulls back, it is the result of words that Shannon finally blurts out hurting Cole and bringing forth his own trauma.
What disappointed me most was the complete lack of spark once they do come together. Cole is kind, steady, and emotionally available, but he is also safe to the point of dullness. There is very little edge, very little heat, and almost no sense of danger or urgency. Compared to earlier heroes in the series, particularly Braden, whose presence was commanding both emotionally and physically, Cole simply fades into the background. A gentleman can still be fierce. Here, that balance never materializes.
Shannon, as a heroine, was difficult to connect with despite her traumatic past. Understanding her pain did not translate into liking her, and even in moments where the story asked for emotional release, I felt strangely detached. The romantic arc relied heavily on reassurance from secondary characters rather than organic growth between the leads. Even the sexual chemistry, once a hallmark of this series, felt muted and oddly restrained. And I skipped huge chunks of the book towards the finish line.
Ultimately, this felt like a story that relied too heavily on intention rather than execution. The emotional groundwork was there, but the delivery failed to be satisfactory. Given the rave reviews this installment however received from longtime fans of the series, I maybe an outlier in my opinion. However, for readers who crave intensity, angst, and visceral connection that the earlier three books in the series provided, it may fall particularly flat.
Recommended for: Readers who enjoy gentle, emotionally safe romances with minimal conflict and a patient, steady hero.
Final Verdict: Echoes of Scotland Street is a well meaning installment of the On Dublin Street series that lacked the fire, tension, and emotional grip that once defined the series.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, FMC Series: On Dublin Street, #4 Publisher: Self-Published Hero: Marco D’Alessandro Heroine: Hannah Nichols Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: June 03, 2014 Started On: December 19, 2025 Finished On: December 30, 2025
Fall from India Place was one of those books I went into with a lot of emotional investment. Hannah Nichols has been quietly present since the beginning of the On Dublin Street series, and she always felt like the most relatable of the lot. The bookish, thoughtful friend and the one who listened more than she spoke. This installment finally places her at the center, revisiting a past heartbreak that has shaped far more of her adult life than anyone around her realizes.
Hannah’s story revolves around her unresolved connection with Marco D’Alessandro, the only man she has ever loved and the one who walked away after a single, life-altering night years earlier. When fate brings them back together, the pull between them is immediate, but so is the weight of everything left unsaid. Marco wants redemption and a future. Hannah wants safety, control, and certainty after years of quietly surviving something she never allowed herself to fully confront.
Hannah’s emotional journey is the most compelling part of the book. Her fears do not stem only from Marco’s disappearance, but from a deeply buried trauma that reshaped her sense of self, her body, and her relationship with vulnerability. Watching her navigate those fears through her internal monologue is heartbreaking at times, and it explains why she keeps people at arm’s length even when she longs for connection. Marco, on the other hand, remains more elusive. Seen only through Hannah’s eyes, he often feels like an idea rather than a fully realized presence, which made it difficult for me to truly invest in him as her partner.
Where the book struggled for me was in the emotional balance between the two leads. The chemistry that should have been explosive felt muted for much of the story, only truly coming alive in the latter third. By then, the groundwork had already felt uneven. Hannah’s healing journey seemed too complex and deeply rooted to be resolved solely through romance, and at times I found myself wishing the story had allowed more space for her to seek healing beyond the relationship itself. Given that Marco was this figment that materialized every now and then, I saw that Cole, who was always with Hannah through every single aspect of her life, was more of a partner to her than Marco ever felt like. But alas, the two had zero chemistry to gel it all together.
That said, the writing is still undeniably strong, and Samantha Young handles emotional introspection with care. Hannah’s pain feels real, her fears believable, and her hesitations grounded in lived experience. I simply wanted more depth and perspective from Marco, perhaps even his own voice, to bridge the emotional gap between them.
Recommended for: Readers invested in the On Dublin Street series, especially those who value character-driven stories and emotional realism over high heat or fast-paced romance.
Final Verdict: A poignant but uneven installment that gives Hannah a long-awaited voice, even if the romance itself never fully reaches the emotional heights of the earlier books in the series.
Favorite Quotes
“Hannah.” His voice was thick as his eyes began to burn again. My breathing grew shallow. “We’ve always been honest with each other, right?” He gave a slight shake of his head. “I can’t.” “Why?” “I can’t . . . I can’t tell you I don’t want you.” His eyes studied my face before moving slowly down my body, and everywhere his gaze touched I came alive. I’d never done much more than kiss a boy, not because I wasn’t ready to explore sex, but because I didn’t want to explore sex with anyone but Marco. I’d heard Ellie, Joss, Jo, and Liv’s crappy losing-their-virginity stories and I’d promised myself that the moment I let someone truly inside me, I’d make sure that someone was someone I loved. And I loved Marco. I’d been in love with him since the day he rescued me when I was fourteen years old.
“When we were kids, I was in love with you.” Surprise, gratification, relief, sheer joy . . . it all moved through me as my eyes widened at his abrupt confession. “That never went away, Hannah.” He rested his forehead against mine. “And now that I know you again, I’m even more in love with you.”
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Urban Fantasy POV: Third Person, Multiple Series: True Immortality, #1 Publisher: Self-Published Hero: Conall MacLennan Heroine: Thea Quinn Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: October 01, 2019 Started On: December 06, 2025 Finished On: December 17, 2025
War of Hearts was one of those books that pulled me in immediately with its premise. A hunted heroine with unexplained powers, an Alpha driven by duty and desperation, and a bargain forged in moral grey areas is exactly the kind of setup that promises intensity, danger, and emotional stakes. From the outset, this story positions itself as darker and more complex than a straightforward paranormal romance, and for the most part, it delivers on that promise.
Thea Quinn is a heroine shaped by survival. On the run for most of her life, betrayed by those who should have protected her, she is wary, resourceful, and deeply guarded. Her power is as much a burden as it is a weapon, and the uncertainty surrounding what she truly is adds an edge of unease to her journey.
Conall MacLennan, Alpha of the last werewolf clan in Scotland, is her natural opposite. Where Thea runs, Conall hunts. Where she resists control, he is defined by responsibility. His motivations are painfully human despite his supernatural nature, especially his desperation to save a sister slowly dying before his eyes.
What brings them together is not trust but necessity. Conall’s agreement to hunt Thea in exchange for a cure binds them in a way that feels uncomfortable by design, and that tension fuels much of the early story. As circumstances force proximity, the dynamic between hunter and hunted begins to shift into something far more layered. Attraction grows alongside resentment, and moments of vulnerability puncture the walls both characters have built around themselves. Their connection is passionate, intense, and fraught with internal conflict rather than easy devotion.
Where the story truly shines is in its emotional undercurrent. Both Thea and Conall are characters burdened by loss, duty, and guilt, and the slow unveiling of their truths adds weight to their bond. That said, I could not help but want more from the culmination of their union. While the mate bond becomes clear, the full scope of what they could have been together feels slightly under-explored. I found myself wishing for a stronger final confrontation where both could stand fully in their power, united not just by fate but by choice and shared strength.
I also had mixed feelings about the resolution of Thea’s identity. Her transition felt practical and understandable within pack logic, but it came across as a little too convenient given the rich possibilities her original power held. Fiction allows for limitless imagination, and I could not help but feel that her arc might have been even more impactful had she been allowed to retain and refine what made her unique. Still, the emotional resolution between the couple carried enough sincerity to soften those reservations.
Recommended for: readers who enjoy urban fantasy romance with Alpha heroes, morally complex bargains, and kick-ass heroines. If you like high emotional stakes, supernatural politics, and relationships forged under pressure, this one is worth picking up.
Final Verdict: A compelling start to a paranormal series with strong characters and emotional tension, even if it does not fully realize the epic potential of its central pairing.
Favorite Quotes
“Right, big guy.” She opened the rear passenger door thinking it might be less painful for him if she pulled him out feet first. “Here goes nothing.” Thea couldn’t get her hands all the way around his calves, they were that thick with muscle. Jesus, this guy was huge. “What do you eat?” she murmured, hauling him out and ignoring his groans of displeasure. “Steroid Popsicles?”
“I don’t know. What I do know is that there’s someone else after me and you’ve saved my ass twice. I can’t get rid of you, so I may as well make use of you.” Her words caused a stirring somewhere they shouldn’t. Poor word choice on her part. “Make use of me?” His voice was gruff. She flicked him a casual look as she kicked off her shoes and got into the bed, fully clothed. “Bodyguard.” She reached up and switched off the lamp at her bedside. Surprised, Conall snorted. “And here I thought you didnae need a bodyguard.” “Me too. Until a vamp punched a hole in my chest.” Although she tried to hide behind levity, he heard the slight tremble of uncertainty in her words. “Is that the closest you’ve come to death, lass?” “No,” she whispered, the duvet rustling as she turned her back to him. “Death and I are old friends.”
As the doors closed, he glanced at her. Her eyes were downcast beneath her thick, sooty lashes. “So, no plans to kill me today?” The couple sharing their elevator exchanged a wide-eyed look and Conall realized they spoke English. Oh well. Thea looked up at him and her lush lips parted into a slow smile. “Not today.” The elevator jolted to a stop, and she moved past him with a nonchalant shrug. “But there’s always tomorrow.”
The muscle in his jaw flexed. “Did he do that to your back?” She could still hear the lash hitting her flesh, could still feel the agonizing, burning pain of every slice into her back. She could smell the blood. Could feel it underfoot as she slipped in it. Could remember when darkness finally came. And the moment she realized there was no relief of death for her. It wasn’t the worst thing he’d ever done to her … it was just the only thing that truly physically hurt. “Yes,” she choked out. “How?” The words stuck in her throat. As much as she longed to trust someone, and wished she could trust Conall, she just couldn’t. “I can’t tell you.” “Why?” “Because it’s my only weakness.”
“Do people always look at you like that?” she whispered, staring over the top of the bus seats. “Like they fear you?” “Aye,” his answer was gruff. “It makes no matter.” “It doesn’t matter?” “No, it doesnae.” Thea slumped against her chair, annoyed Conall accepted that people judged him before they got to know him. “They’re idiots.” His lips twitched at the corner. “What’s new, lass?”
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, Dual Series: On Dublin Street, #2 Publisher: Self-Published Hero: Cameron (Cam) MacCabe Heroine: Johanna (Jo) Walker Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: May 07, 2013 Started On: November 28, 2023 Finished On: December 01, 2023
Samantha Young returns with Down London Road, the second installment of her On Dublin Street series, delivering another emotionally charged romance synonymous with Ms. Young’s evocative style and prose. Featuring Johanna (Jo) Walker and Cameron (Cam) MacCabe, the story is set against the backdrop of Edinburgh’s vibrant streets as is the first installment.
Jo is a 24-year-old woman juggling an overwhelming sense of responsibility. With an alcoholic mother and a teenage brother dependent on her, Jo has spent years dating wealthy men, prioritizing financial stability over love. When Cam, a tattooed graphic designer shakes up Jo’s carefully constructed world with his sharp wit and smoldering intensity, it stirs up Jo more than it should in a way that leaves her wanting more.
From their first meeting, sparks fly, igniting a tension that refuses to be ignored. Cam’s initial judgment of Jo as a gold-digger sets the stage for misunderstandings and emotional clashes between the two, giving readers a good dose of angst throughout the story. As layers of their past are revealed, it becomes evident that both Jo and Cam carry wounds that shape their insecurities and fears, making it difficult at first for both of them to see what they could be to each other.
Jo’s fragile self-worth plays a huge role in the way she perceives herself. Ultimately the belief that she isn’t good enough for a man like Cam is harder to overcome than any other conflict that emerges in the story. After all, it is the demons that we carry within, shaped over years and scarring our insides that are the most challenging to face and move on from.
At the same time, Cam struggles with his own issues – a deep sense of abandonment from his childhood, and his unresolved past with his former girlfriend. While Cam is undeniably attracted to Jo, it takes him a while to accept it for what it is, to look past his prejudices and see beyond, deep into the wonderful person she is.
Ms. Young excels at creating characters brimming with emotional depth, and both Jo and Cam delivered on that front. Jo is a heroine who resonates with readers—her vulnerability, strength, and fierce loyalty to her brother earns one’s respect. Her struggle to see herself as more than what she has believed herself to be was definitely compelling.
Cam, on the other hand, is a blend of broody intensity and raw honesty that calls to the reader in many ways. While not as magnetic as Braden from the first book in the series, he still holds his own as a flawed hero navigating his own insecurities, delivering a ton of smoldering tension to the story which I loved. While for the most part I understood where he was coming from, when all was said and done I expected more from him, especially when it came to the groveling that Jo rightfully deserved from Cam.
The chemistry between Jo and Cam is undeniable, simmering with tension and culminating in moments of passion that are both fiery, sexy, and tender. Ms. Young’s ability to write nuanced, deeply felt relationships shines through, even with the few elements in the story that I wished were otherwise.
If you are a fan of contemporary romance that dives deep into the complexities of love and self-discovery, Down London Road is a must-read!
Final Verdict: Samantha Young delivers another page-turner, chock-full of emotive characterization and a love story that lingers long after the turn of the final page!
Favorite Quotes
I took another step and the sound of my boot on the floor brought Cam’s head up. My breath hitched as our eyes collided. Heat suffused my cheeks at my body’s instant reaction to this man’s attention. I could feel my breasts swell and my lower belly squeeze, and as we continued to stare at each other in intense silence, my mind and body went to war. My body was panting, ‘He’s hot. Can we have him?’ while my mind was screaming, ‘Oh, dear God, what the hell are you thinking?’ Everything had blurred around me – the only thing in sharp focus was Cam and all the places where I wanted to feel his touch.
Cam groaned, the vibration reverberating in my chest and soaring downward between my legs, and I writhed against him. He got the message, pressing his body deeper against mine, his erection digging into my lower stomach as his legs spread mine farther apart. I whimpered with a want that was out of control and Cam pulled back to stare at my swollen lips. I’d never seen a man so lost in a sexual fog and my sex clenched at the knowledge of the power I had over him, my knickers damp as my body grew ready for him. Cam nipped at my bottom lip, and then licked the same spot. ‘I’ve fantasized a million times about this mouth,’ he told me hoarsely before crushing my lips against his again.
I almost threw the fare at the taxi driver, then rushed into the building, my boots slapping carelessly against the concrete as I hurried up the stairs. I was just rounding the stairwell to Cam’s landing when I heard a door open. As I reached the top of the stairs, he came into view, standing barefoot in his doorway, waiting for me. Overwhelmed that just the sight of him made my chest so full of emotion that it hurt, I stumbled a little towards him, my boots just clipping the doorstep. Cam didn’t say anything. Every inch of him was solid with tension as he looked at me. ‘Cam –’ My words were swallowed by motion as his hand clamped around my wrist, wrenching me hard against his body, his mouth slamming down on mine. I instantly wrapped myself around him, and my fingers curled in the hair at the back of his neck as I licked and sucked and flicked my tongue against his, our kiss so deep I didn’t even realize I was inside his flat until the door crashed shut behind us.
My back slammed up against the wall as he crashed us into it. ‘I can’t wait,’ he told me breathlessly. I shook my head, my chest heaving against his, telling him silently I couldn’t wait either. I felt his warm, rough hands on my outer thighs as they brushed my skin, pushing my skirt up to my waist. With an almost animalistic grunt, Cam curled his hands around the fabric of my knickers and tugged, the sound of it tearing away from my body and the sudden air between my legs increasing the heat between us to a combustible level. He’d just ripped my underwear off! Holy hell! That was seriously hot.
I pushed my hips against him and his grip on my thighs became almost bruising. ‘Wait,’ he said hoarsely. ‘Give me a minute. I’ve wanted this for ages and you feel bloody amazing. Just give me a minute.’ As I heard this erotic confession, my inner muscles clamped around his cock and he inhaled sharply. His head drew back in surprise as his eyes collided with mine. ‘Baby, do that again and I’m not going to last.’ I shook my head, my fingers digging into the muscles of his back. ‘I don’t care. Just move, please just move. I need you.’ His control snapped.
Someone naughty and a little bit wicked had crept inside me. I wanted him again. And I wanted him just as raw and hard as I’d just had him. ‘Do you know how many times over the last few weeks I lay in my bed and touched myself thinking about you?’ His breath sputtered and I felt his dick twitch inside me. ‘Jesus,’ he breathed, his eyes dilating. ‘Keep talking and you’re not going be able to walk tomorrow.’ I grinned up at him, squeezing my inner muscles around him again. ‘That’s the plan.’
My gaze never left Cam’s face as I moved, feeling sexy and powerful at his glittering expression, watching the way his blue eyes darkened on my breasts, on my hair swinging across my back. His hands gripped my hips, urging me on; his jaw clenched as the heat between us increased and a light sheen of sweat covered our skin. As I approached climax all I was aware of was the coiling pleasure low in my belly, the sound of my uncontrolled breaths and mews of pleasure, the intoxicating smell of sex … and then I heard Cam hoarsely asking me to come. Pure bliss took me over, and I closed my eyes, reveling in it as my body moved faster up and down his length, rushing towards climax.
I came quickly, I came hard, and I came with a cry that Cam quieted against his mouth. His kiss was wet and dirty, and its purpose was to swallow my climax and stamp me with his ownership. The bastard was lucky I was feeling equally possessive. Gripping his head tight, I kissed him back just as voraciously and when he moved to catch his breath, I nipped his lip. Hard. He hissed, his eyes widening, his tongue flicking out to lick the hurt. ‘If mine is yours, yours is mine.’
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, Single Series: On Dublin Street, #1 Publisher: Self-Published Hero: Braden Carmichael Heroine: Jocelyn Butler Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Published On: August 31, 2012 Started On: November 09, 2023 Finished On: November 10, 2023
“No human relation gives possession in another – every two souls are absolutely different. In friendship or in love, the two side by side raise hands together to find what one cannot reach alone.” ~ Khalil Gibran
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young is a scorching, emotional rollercoaster that pulls no punches. This book is the very definition of a “hot emotional mess,” brimming with heartache, hope, and sizzling tension. The romance here is intense and heart-wrenching, but it does not feel rushed or superficial. Ms. Young manages to capture the complexity of love and healing in a way that is raw, real, and undeniably moving which made this the five-star read it was.
On Dublin Street is evocative and character-driven in a way that perfectly captures the push and pull factor when it comes to personal demons, passion, and vulnerability between the main protagonists. Set in the heart of Edinburgh, the story centers on Jocelyn Butler, a guarded 22-year-old American woman who moves to Scotland to bury her past and escape the loss and pain that haunts her. But the past, as always, has a way of catching up, especially when Jocelyn meets the irresistible Braden Carmichael, a 30-year-old alpha hero whose magnetic presence draws her in despite her best efforts.
Braden is the kind of male protagonist that epitomizes the confident, sexy, bold, and determined hero. His deep attraction to Jocelyn from the start is undeniable and he refuses to accept her “no-strings” policy, igniting a power struggle between his relentless pursuit and the walls of iron that she has painstakingly built around her. Braden’s patient determination and unwavering pursuit set the pages ablaze, making him the kind of hero who is impossible not to fall for. He’s hot, hot, and hot; that classic mix of charm, intensity, and unexpected vulnerability, making me fall for him, hook, line, and sinker.
Jocelyn, or Joss, is a mess in her own right, struggling with PTSD after a traumatic event shattered her world years prior, leaving her walls sky-high and nearly impenetrable. The layers to Joss’s pain and her self-imposed isolation feel intensely real, making her a character who is easy to empathize with, even when she is frustratingly stubborn. Her journey towards healing is not glossed over or magically “fixed” by love; instead, Ms. Young’s sensitive approach sees Joss beginning therapy, a much-needed lifeline that helps her face the pain she has carried alone for so long. The story line does not treat her PTSD lightly, making her growth both believable and meaningful, especially as her connection with Braden deepens.
As their relationship develops, so too does the tension between them. The chemistry between Jocelyn and Braden is nothing short of electric, with each encounter intensifying their connection and blurring the lines of the boundaries Jocelyn tries so hard to keep intact. The Carmichaels—Braden and his family—break through Joss’s defenses in a way nothing else has in the past eight years. Braden’s relentless support and fierce love become the balm she didn’t know she needed, while the warmth of his family helps her feel something akin to the home she lost years back.
On Dubling Street does a marvelous job of drawing readers in, as the debut book in the series. Ms. Young’s prose is smooth, witty, and deeply emotional, pulling readers into the heart of Edinburgh with vibrant scene-setting and a keen eye for the subtleties of human connection. The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, providing moments of humor, insight, and warmth that enhances the main story line without detracting from Jocelyn and Braden’s journey
Ms. Young’s writing has an addictive quality that makes you feel as if you are hurtling towards an emotional wreckage from which you will never emerge the same. The romance is steeped in passion, pain, and powerful moments that left me breathless and definitely wanting more. This isn’t just a romance; it is a story about healing, letting go, and the bravery it takes to trust someone with your heart, especially as you continue to struggle with the demons of your past.
On Dublin Street is for those who love an emotional journey with complex characters, scorching hot chemistry, and a romance that is as heartbreaking as it is beautiful. This book is an unforgettable experience that will make you laugh, cry, and feel as if you have lived every moment with Joss and Braden.
Definitely recommended. Ms. Young’s remarkable talent shines through with the turn of every page!
Final Verdict: A scorching, beautifully messy journey of love and healing, On Dublin Street pulls you in with its raw emotion, unforgettable characters, and searing chemistry giving readers a most satisfying read.
Favorite Quotes
“I didn’t mean anything by it, Jocelyn. It was just a compliment.” No it wasn’t. You’re playing games with me. And if we’re going to be around each other all the time, I want it to stop. “Was it? Do you talk to everyone the way you talk to me?” “And what way is that?” “Like you’ve seen me naked.” Grinning, Braden’s eyes glittered with heat. “No. But then I haven’t seen everyone naked.” Frustrated, I shook my head. “You know what I mean.” I almost jumped at the warm whisper of his breath on my ear as he leaned down to murmur quietly into it, “I like the reaction I get out of you.”
His eyes narrowed. “I said, I don’t like to share.” I thought of Vicky. “That’s not what I’ve heard.” “Let me rephrase.” He took a seething step toward me. “When it comes to you… I don’t like to share.” There was no time to process that. One minute I was staring incredulously up at him, the next the soda can was hitting the floor and my ass was on the desk as Braden collided with me. The heat and strength of him overwhelmed me as his large hand gripped the back of my neck and his other tugged my left thigh up, allowing him to push in between my legs and position me over the desk. His mouth crashed down on mine and the desire my body had been harboring for him for weeks took control of me. I clung to him, my hands digging into his back, my legs climbing his hips as my lips parted on an exhalation of relief that allowed his tongue inside my mouth to tease mine. The smell of him, the taste of whisky on his tongue, the feel of his warm hands gripping me tight it… it all overpowered me and I made this throaty sound I couldn’t control.
“I’m having a problem with a few suppliers on this development and it put us back a few weeks. I don’t know when I’ll be free this week, but I guarantee the moment I get some time, I’m coming to see you.” “Braden, don’t do that.” “After last night, there’s no denying the promise of what’s between us. I’m not backing off, so rather than coming up with a new defense – which I’m sure I’d find highly entertaining – just give in, babe. You know you’re going to eventually.” “Have I mentioned how annoying and arrogant you are?” “I can still smell and taste you, Jocelyn. And I’m still fucking hard.” My stomach flipped and I squeezed my legs together. “God, Braden…” I breathed without thinking. “I can’t wait to hear you say that while I’m inside you. See you, babe.” And after that parting line, he hung up. I groaned, my head falling back against the tub. I was so screwed.
He shook his head, enjoying himself. “You’ve got great legs, Jocelyn. An amazing smile when you use it on occasion. And fantastic tits. And yeah, I usually date blondes. But you’re a blonde. I think.” He laughed when my glower turned full on glare. “Doesn’t matter about the color. You never wear it down, and I can’t get the thought of you beneath me, and that hair spread out across my pillow while I move inside you, out of my head.” Oh. God. “But I think mostly it’s your eyes. I want something from them no one else gets from them.” “And what’s that?” I asked, my voice low, almost hoarse. His words had affected me as deeply as any aphrodisiac. “Soft.” His own voice had deepened with the highly sexual atmosphere. “Soft the way only a woman’s can be after she’s come for me.”
“Then I guess we’re good to go.” The words were barely out of my mouth before Braden was standing above me, his large hand reaching out for mine, his face determined, serious. His eyes blazing. “What? Now?” I squeaked, totally unprepared. He cocked an eyebrow. “You want to wait?” “I just… I thought I’d have time to get ready.” “Get ready?” “You know… perfume, nice lingerie…” With a grunt of amusement, Braden took hold of my wrist and hauled me out of my chair. My small body slammed into his and his arms came instantly around me, holding me to him. A hand slid down my hip and around to my butt. He squeezed it lightly and pressed me against him, his erection hard against my belly. I stifled a moan, tilting my head back to meet his eyes. They glittered down at me. “Babe, nice lingerie is for seducing a man. I’m already fucking seduced.”
His eyes drifted from my chest to my face and suddenly he looked a little angry. I stiffened in surprise. “Do you know what it’s been like for me since that day in the flat? Sitting across from you in bars, at dinner, knowing that underneath all the attitude is every man’s fucking fantasy.” Oh, he was good. His eyes narrowed as he reached for the buttons and zip on his suit pants. The zip slid down loudly. “I’m going to make you pay for making me wait to have you.”
“Braden,” I growled impatiently. This only made him laugh. “What, babe?” “If you don’t hurry up, I’m backing out.” “Well we can’t have that.” He thrust hard inside me and I whimpered, stiffening at the flinch of discomfort I felt as my body struggled to accept his size. Braden’s whole body tensed, his eyes dark on me. “Are you okay?” I nodded, exhaling as my body relaxed around him. His grip on my wrists loosened, but he didn’t let me go. Instead he nudged forward tentatively, his jaw locking, his eyes closing as if he was in pain. “Jesus, Jocelyn,” he breathed hoarsely. “You’re so fucking tight.”
He lifted his head, his hand gliding between my legs. Pleasure shot through me as two fingers slipped inside me. “So wet,” he murmured, eyes bright. “Tomorrow after family dinner you’re coming back to my place and I’m going to fuck you in every room, in every way I can.” My eyes flew to his, my chest rising and falling rapidly at his words. “I’m going to make you scream there since you can’t here,” he promised softly, realizing this was also a reminder to be quiet since Ellie was down the hall. “But right now, I’m going to enjoy watching you bite your lip.” And I did. He pushed inside of me and I swallowed a cry by biting my lip, holding on for dear life as his earlier, slow gentleness disappeared, his groans and grunts against my neck sexy as hell as he pounded me into orgasm.
I shivered as Braden continued to caress me, his fingers sliding down the crease of my backside and then entering me from behind. I moaned, arching back into him as he pulled his fingers out and then slid them back in. “Braden.” He withdrew only to clasp me by the hips and press me back against him, his erection digging into my backside since I still had on the heels. “That’s all it takes to make me hard,” he told me softly, his lips brushing my ear. “You: saying my name.”
That’s when his slow, torturous control really snapped. I was tugged towards him as he moved back towards the door where a high side cabinet was positioned against the wall, and then I was spun around, pushed none-too-gently into it, his front at my back. My breath was coming out in frantic puffs now as I gripped hold of the unit. Braden’s hands came around to squeeze my breasts, forcing my body back into his as his tongue flicked my ear. “I’m going to take you like this. It’s going to be hard, Jocelyn, hard and rough. You ready?” I nodded, my heart spluttering a little. My panties were gone, whipped down my legs and I stepped out of them, kicking them to the side. The heat of him at my back, the sound of the zipper on his pants sliding down, sent a bolt of pure lust through my sex and my nails dug into the cabinet with anticipation.
With an animalistic growl I didn’t even know I was capable of, I threw my body towards his, my hands out as I shoved at him with enough might to make him stumble. Suddenly it was all there in my gut, the last six months of emotional upheaval, the dramatic changes he’d brought into my life—the uncertainty, the jealousy, the heartache. “I hate you!” I yelled, the words tumbling out of my mouth with a mind of their own. I spun away from him. “I was fine until you!” My eyes started to sting as I stared back at his stony face. “Why?” My voice broke, as the tears spilled down my cheeks. “I was fine. I was safe and I was fine. I’m broken, Braden. Stop trying to fix me and just let me be broken!” He shook his head slowly, his own eyes bright, and I stood frozen as he came to me. I closed my eyes at his touch, his hands wrapping around my arms to tug me close to him. “You are not broken.” My eyelashes fluttered open and I stared up into his beautiful face, his anguished beautiful face. “Yes I am.” He gave me an angry shake now. “No, you’re not.” He leaned his face into mine and I found myself caught in his pale blue eyes, mesmerized by the glitter of silver striations in them. “Jocelyn, you’re not broken, baby,” he whispered hoarsely, his eyes pleading with me. “You’ve got a few cracks in you, but we all have some.”
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance Series: On Dublin Street, #3 Publisher: Penguin Hero: Nathaniel Sawyer Heroine: Olivia Holloway Sensuality: 4 Date of Publication: January 07, 2014 Started On: April 28, 2019 Finished On: April 29, 2019
It is no secret that I love a good and healthy (sometimes a not so healthy) dose of angst in my romance novels. Heroes who have lost the love of their lives tend to give this factor to a book, and that is one reason why I picked up Before Jamaica Lane as my next read, the third book in the On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young, a totally new to me author.
Before Jamaica Lane tells the story of 26 year old Olivia Holloway who loses her mother to cancer at the age of 21, and hero Nathaniel Sawyer, who had lost his childhood sweetheart to lymphoma at the age of 18, rendering him to become the commitment-phobe that he is.
Olivia’s lack of experience in terms of flirting, talking to the opposite sex in any manner of interest that goes beyond friendship has meant that her love life remains pretty much nonexistent. Though Olivia and Nate have grown to be close friends, simmering beneath the surface on the part of Olivia is an attraction towards Nate she wills away quite successfully, most of the time.
All of that changes however, when Olivia seeks Nate’s help in honing up her skill-set in the seduction of the opposite sex, having grown tired of constantly being on the outside looking in. What starts out as one friend helping out the other, combusts into something more, something that neither Olivia nor Nate are prepared for.
Nate is a man who prefers to live in the past, someone who has never moved on from the tragic loss of the love of his life. It is as if Nate himself has become the shrine to the woman he had lost, and Nate avoids entanglements at any cost that could jeopardize his lifelong mourning.
Nate does not take to it kindly when he discovers that his feelings have definitely become more where Olivia is concerned. The blow-up that happens as a result was raw and emotionally draining as they come. The real conversations that Olivia and Nate have at different points in the story served to be one of the best aspects, which gives the tale such emotional depth that you cannot pull yourself away from any of it.
Nate’s character was one that I fell in love with, right away. There is this quality to him whereby he is equal spades charming, kind, and so effing sexy that it takes your breath away; he just sort of makes you literally swoon on the spot. And oh my stars, can the man kiss? I believe his kindness was the aspect that pulled me in the most (yes, me, who loves villainous heroes). It goes to show that if an author crafts a character well, the unexpected can always happen. Of course, it does help that Nate is a force to be reckoned with in the bedroom, when and where it matters.
Olivia was just as wonderful. I could not have asked for a better heroine in terms of the tale that unfolded. Even with her insecurities that were understandable, rising up to the challenge, putting herself out there, and taking charge of her love life was something I wholeheartedly supported. Even when it came to the inevitable point of no return between her and Nate, the fact that Olivia believed that she deserved better, that she deserved it all, made me want to stand up and give her the biggest hug she had ever received in her entire life.
Before Jamaica Lane is a story that needs to be read by anyone and everyone who loves romances, angst, and the reawakening of a hero who had lost himself to grief. Wholeheartedly recommended.
Final Verdict: Before Jamaica Lane is a novel that carries enough emotional punch to fell you in one single swoop. Nate will claim your heart and Olivia your soul. This is that book.
Favorite Quotes
His mouth parted, letting me in. I flicked my tongue against his, and suddenly I wasn’t in it alone. He moved his lips against mine, gently licked at my tongue until all I could taste was sugar and beer and Nate. Our kiss deepened. Goose bumps rose all over my arms, and my breasts swelled against him. He groaned, the sound vibrating in my mouth. My fingers tightened in his hair. I couldn’t even remember putting them there. My chest was pressed against his. I couldn’t remember him putting his arm around me to haul me close. God, he could kiss.
The pressure built between my legs, and frustration grew along with it. I needed more. More somehow. Clasping my hand around his neck I pressed my knee between his to bring me that little bit closer. Wanting a deeper taste, I sucked on his tongue. A growl rose from the back of Nate’s throat and suddenly I was pushed away from him. The absence of his mouth was almost painful. It took me a minute to come out of the fog of desire to realize Nate was staring at me wide-eyed, panting.
When that hot mouth of his closed around my left nipple, my hips slammed against him in reaction. ‘Oh, God.’ My thighs gripped him as I urged him closer, my back arching for more as he first licked me and then sucked hard, all the while pinching my other nipple between his forefinger and thumb. I felt a wet rush between my legs. ‘Nate.’ My fingers dug into his shoulders. ‘Oh, God …’ He lifted his head, his eyes black as he undulated against me, his dick pressing between my legs now, only the fabric of his boxer briefs shielding me from its throbbing heat. ‘You like that, Liv?’ he asked, his voice thick. ‘Like me sucking hard on your nipples?’ I flushed at his crude question but found myself nodding quickly. ‘Yes, I like it.’
At first I was frozen by the foreignness of having him in my mouth, tasting him, feeling him as if he were all around me, as if there was nothing else in the world but him. It felt odd. It felt alien. And I was afraid I just wasn’t cut out for this part of sexual intimacy. Until I looked up at his face from under my lashes. This was Nate. I gathered my courage. I began to do everything that he asked, and as I did I watched him – watched the color rise in his cheeks; watched the way his chest rose and fell in rapid breaths; watched his fists curl in the sheets around him; watched his mouth open on pants; watched the sheen of sweat build across his skin; watched his abs ripple. And I got off on it.
My breath stuttered as I felt his tongue push the fabric against my clit. ‘Nate,’ I whimpered, my right hand moving to curl in his soft hair. ‘Please …’ He relented, leaning back to remove the panties. I tried to help, but my legs were shaking. After he peeled them off, Nate slid his hands around both my calves and glided his fingers upward. ‘You’ve got fantastic legs,’ he told me quietly. ‘I remember one night while we were watching a movie and you were wearing leggings. It was the first time I’d seen you in anything that showed the shape of them.’ He kissed the inside of my knee and looked back up at me with a fierceness that made me throb. ‘You stretched them out, feet up on the coffee table, and I couldn’t stop staring. I couldn’t believe you’d been hiding those long, gorgeous legs. I dreamt of your legs that night, Liv. I dreamt they were wrapped around my back while I fucked your brains out.’
He was slow and tender, his hands gripping my thighs lightly as he slid in and out of me, every stroke a gradual climb toward climax. His eyes drank me in, watching me pant beneath him, watching my breasts quiver gently against his thrusts, and suddenly he was pushing that little bit harder, moving that little bit faster. ‘Liv, come for me, babe,’ he commanded, his voice guttural. ‘You’ve got to come for me.’
Straddling him, I gripped his hair in my hands and kissed him hard. His arms banded around me and just as easy as that, Nate took back control of the kiss. Fine, no kissing. Pulling away, I gently pressed him back with a hand to his chest. ‘Well?’ he asked, his voice low, eyes questioning. ‘What now?’ In answer I began unbuckling his belt, quickly unbuttoning his jeans so I could slip my hand inside. Nate hissed as I fisted him. ‘Feel good?’ I purred across his mouth, a part of me floating on the outside of this little scene and wondering who the hell I thought I was.
‘Take off the nightdress,’ Nate insisted. When I didn’t move, he rubbed a hand over my thigh, his expression gentling. ‘Liv, I want to see you.’ I stilled, tilting my head to the side as I studied him carefully. ‘You do?’ There was so much more in my question than I wished there was. And just like that Nate understood completely. ‘I want you. I want you to ride my cock and I want you to ride it hard. And then afterwards I want to sit with my friend, eat some food, and watch a movie with her. I’m not going anywhere.’ His grip tightened. ‘Now take off your nightdress.’
I whimpered against his mouth as he sucked in a deep breath. And then I moved. I tried to go slow, to take it easy, to build it, but I was too impatient, too desperate for it. Too greedy. Too inexperienced. Yet Nate let me control it. And by his doing so, we both came hard but much too fast.
I tried to move my arms, but they wouldn’t budge, and I was wickedly surprised to feel swift arousal move through me at the feeling of being completely under his control. His to do with as he pleased. With a growl of need he slammed into me and all I could do was take it as he pounded me into the mattress, my cries growing louder and louder until an eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-my-head orgasm shattered my insides and I screamed his name upon beautiful release.
‘What? You think a bit of leg cramp will turn me off you?’ I half shrugged again. Nate’s weight lifted from my back, but as he sat up his hands gripped my hips. He jerked my body up so I had to bend my knees to steady myself. I rested on my elbows, the breath whooshing out of me as I stared at him over my shoulder. ‘What are you doing?’ He caressed my ample bottom, his eyes filled with a dark intensity as his knees nudged my knees apart. Without a word he slid inside me.
‘This is me and you,’ he panted, driving faster and harder into me. ‘Don’t ever run. Not from me.’ ‘Okay.’ I shook my head against his shoulder. ‘Okay.’ He stilled his fingers on my clit. ‘Promise me.’ ‘Nate, don’t stop, don’t stop,’ I whispered hurriedly. ‘Please, I’m so close. I’m so close.’ He rocked up into me and stilled. ‘Nate!’ I keened, my hands dropping to his hips, gripping him behind me. ‘Please!’ ‘Promise me. Tell me you won’t run.’ He bit my ear, the nip almost painful. ‘Tell me you won’t run from me ever. And then beg me to fuck you.’
I only had a moment to see the anger flare in his eyes before he rushed me. I found myself gripped by the nape of the neck as he hauled me up against him and started kissing me. It was rough, bruising, nipping, biting, and I gave as good as I got. Breathing harshly, Nate pushed me back on the hood, insinuating himself between my legs. Shoving my dress up, he leaned over me, eyes black as the night around us, and I arched into his mouth as he pulled the straps of my dress, and the bra underneath, down to allow his lips access to my naked breasts. His hand slid along my inner thigh, his fingers dipping under my panties and pushing inside me. I cried out as he cursed hoarsely at finding me wet and ready. And then it was all about desperation.
At first he was rough, wild, hot. I let him kiss me. I let him undress me. I let him lead me into my room. I let him caress every part of my body. Somewhere along the way he turned tender. I let him slide inside me and take me slowly, beautifully. I closed my eyes. ‘Don’t,’ he said gruffly, grasping the back of my thigh to change the angle of his deep, slow thrusts. ‘Look at me. Give me those eyes.’ So I let him look into my eyes while he made love to me, until I came with tears in them. I let him push my uncertainty aside. I let him back in.
Shoulder blades pressed against the wall, my breasts heaving with breathlessness, I widened my stance, causing Nate’s nostrils to flare. ‘I want your thick, hard cock inside of me now and I want you to fuck me against this wall until we can’t breathe.’ I barely got a chance to see the way his lower abs jerked at my words before he was on me. His kisses were bruising as he slammed into me, pushing his jeans down to free his dick, seconds before he wrapped his hands around my legs, sliding me up the wall, angling my body just right. He thrust into me. Hard. Deep.
A Maldivian's Passion for Romance 